5 BEST Print On Demand Suppliers UK

summary

• Printful is our top choice, offering global reach and is ideal for experienced sellers.
• Printify is great for beginners, with competitive pricing and a wide product range.
• Teemill focuses on sustainability and offers custom website building tools.
  

🎧 Listen Now: Sidehustles.co.uk One-Minute Podcast: 5 Best Print on Demand Suppliers in the UK.

Transcript available below.

Starting a fashion brand in the UK has never been easier, thanks to the rise of print on demand services. These platforms empower designers to bring their creations to market with unprecedented speed and minimal upfront costs. But with so many options out there, how do you choose the right one?

Our article, '5 BEST Print On Demand Suppliers UK', cuts through the noise, bringing you a definitive guide to the top providers in the industry. We've done the research, so you don't have to, ensuring you can confidently select a partner that aligns with your business needs. Read on to discover which suppliers make the cut and why they stand out in this competitive landscape.

Quick Comparison: 5 best print on demand suppliers in the uk

Before everything else, we want to define the print-on-demand model (also called POD), which can sometimes be confused with dropshipping. The two concepts are similar, but there is one significant difference: you can customise your items with your artwork, designs, and branding with print-on-demand.

The best aspect of this service is the on-demand scheme. You won’t need to keep an inventory or stock as the artist or fashion designer. You work with the company instead, which will source the supplies, print your designs, and take care of shipping and fulfilment. All you have to do is market your virtual storefront and create your designs. With this model, you won’t have to consider logistics and inventory management. You concentrate your efforts on your designs and your branding.

✅ Read our comprehensive guide on How to Start a Print on Demand Side Hustle.

There are a few important things to consider when selecting the top print-on-demand platforms. We can narrow down our choices by examining how each company fares in our set criteria.

Printing Quality

You’ll want a company that can print vibrant, true-to-life colours that will stay bright even with prolonged use. This way, customers remain satisfied with your artwork or design. In addition, consistent printing quality helps with brand consistency. You don’t want products that are too desaturated or faded compared to your original design.

Types of Inventory

We also recommend companies that can source and print a wide range of apparel and types of merchandise. Don’t choose companies that are just limited to shirts and sweaters. Pick a company that can print on tote bags, hats, and other items — this is especially useful if you want to expand your line to more than just the basics.

Shipping Capabilities

How long is the typical shipping time? What are the rates for national and international shipping? Does the company ship everywhere or to only select territories or regions? The answers to these questions can help determine if the print-on-demand company can meet your and your customers’ shipping needs.

Features and Tools

When choosing our top print-on-demand companies, one of our primary considerations was the type of features and integrations available. We selected businesses that allow maximum customisation, ease of use, and scalability.

Cost

Most print-on-demand companies follow a commission model, with others adding subscription plans for lower commissions and access to more tools. We considered the potential costs when choosing our top companies, including ones that offer manageable rates while maintaining product quality.

To make your search for the best print on demand suppliers easier, we’ve compiled a list of the five best print on demand suppliers in the UK (in our opinion) below:

At the top of our list is Printful. Anyone who has researched print-on-demand companies will know of this website. Printful has been around since 2013, and it’s chiefly an American company. However, the company has fulfilment centres in the UK and various other territories, making it ideal for those who want to ship designs internationally.

Printful works by following a dropshipping model; you can submit designs on the website manually. However, Printful can also integrate with e-commerce sites like Amazon and Shopify if your storefront is on these platforms.

Notable Features

• Fully Customisable Designs
• Expansive Apparel and Colour Choices
• Outstanding Print Quality
• Large Inventory
• Shipping to Many Locations
• Integrates With Most e-Commerce Websites
• Inside-label Printing

Our Verdict

Printful is our top choice because it checks almost every item in our criteria. From the vibrant prints to the extensive inventory, the company has many qualities that make it an attractive choice for designs. In addition, Printful has fulfilment facilities all over the world, which means that shipping can take as little as two days, even if your customer is on the other side of the globe.

The only real drawback is the cost. Printful has among the highest rates compared to others on our list, which may dissuade customers. However, if you’re looking for a company that does it all and offers consistent results, Printful will deliver. Best of all, the company has great support staff. The team can resolve concerns quickly since it handles every aspect of its operations and doesn’t rely on outsourced third-party services.

Coming in a close second to Printful is Printify, another print-on-demand juggernaut that has a large inventory and proven results. The company has been around since 2015 and has grown steeply since dropshipping and print-on-demand services blew up in 2020. The company is based in Latvia but has Print Providers worldwide, including the UK.

Printify leverages a dropshipping model but doesn’t do the printing itself. Instead, the Print Providers handle the printing and fulfilment. Your role is to upload your designs directly on the website. If you have a virtual storefront on one of the popular e-commerce websites, you can also integrate Printify. Then, the company works with its Print Providers to print and ship your orders.

Notable Features

• Easy-to-use Interface
• Integrates With Most e-Commerce Websites
• Ships to Most Locations Worldwide
• Manage and Cancel Order Options

Our Verdict

We chose Printify as our second top choice because it promises fast fulfilment and quality prints. In addition, the Print Providers model allows you to scale operations even during peak seasons. The same scheme helps Printify reduce costs, making your designs more accessible to your target audience.

However, Printify can be slow regarding customer service since it doesn’t handle every aspect of its operations, outsourcing services to third parties — the Print Providers. In addition, you can’t automatically reroute orders if the nearest fulfilment partner doesn’t have enough stock. You’ll have to do it manually, which can be a major hassle. Still, given the low costs, wide inventory, and fast shipping capabilities, Printify is a great place to start.

There are a few significant reasons why Teemill is our next choice. First, those looking to build their own website instead of relying on an e-commerce platform can use its website builder. Teemill also pushes for sustainable fashion practices. The company uses sustainable materials, renewable energy, and a circular economy to ensure minimal environmental impact.

Teemill has been around since 2009, a homegrown company based in Freshwater, UK. However, it does ship to most countries worldwide. Plus, the company handles everything in-house. Its complete solutions make it a great partner for those starting in retail fashion.

Notable Features

• Build Your Own Website
• Expansive Inventory Made From Sustainable Materials
• AI-assisted Designing Software
• High-quality Prints
• End-to-end Print-on-demand Solutions

Our Verdict

Those who want to follow more sustainable practices in retail fashion will find Teemill the best choice. The company has a proven record of following environmentally friendly practices and even holds tree-planting programs. With a focus on circular economy, the company also helps lessen waste — something the fashion world is notorious for.

In terms of actual print-on-demand solutions, Teemill holds up to Printful and Printify, and its best feature is how you can create your own website, allowing you more customisation options to match your branding. In addition, using the platform is entirely free. The company gets its profits through commissions from your sales.

One consideration you’ll have to remember is that Teemill offers end-to-end solutions — it handles everything. While this may look appealing to casual retail sellers, this model may throttle those who want more control over customer interactions. In addition, the company is UK-centric, and while it does ship to other countries, the logistics may not be as straightforward and could be delayed.

Gelato started as a poster printing company, focusing mainly on paper products. However, the company has recently added more apparel and merchandise products. One thing you want to remember is that Gelato doesn’t have any physical fulfilment centres or printing facilities. Instead, it is a software development company focusing on dropshipping and print-on-demand services. This business model makes it similar to Printify — intermediaries who connect fashion sellers and designers to printing and fulfilment companies.

The company has partners worldwide, with production facilities in 32 countries, which allows it to ship to almost every location. This large number of partners also helps it optimise routes, allowing faster shipping turnaround.

Notable Features

• Advanced Routing Algorithm for Optimised Routes
• Pack-in Option for Personalised Messages
• Extensive Inventory With a Focus on Paper Products
• Integrates With Popular e-Commerce Apps
• No Minimum Orders Required
• Inventory Made From Sustainable Materials

Our Verdict

Gelato has the features, tools, and track record to make it a worthy inclusion on our list. We'd like to point out one point of contention: the advanced routing algorithm, which is different from Printify since it works automatically. This feature is great, especially in terms of scalability and convenience.

However, the advanced routing algorithm can also result in varying quality of orders. Gelato works with outsourced printing and fulfilment companies, so one partner may produce a noticeably different print than the next one. This issue wouldn’t be a problem for small, one-off orders. However, those who want to maintain consistent branding and product continuity may find the problem more concerning.

Clinching a spot on our list is Scalable Press. The company has been around since 2012 and is an American business based in San Francisco, California. However, it has facilities in key locations and ships to almost every country.

The biggest selling points of Scalable Press are its single invoice solutions and automated processes. Like Gelato and Printify, the company uses outsourced printing and fulfilment services. Still, it has developed technologies and software that allow customers to enjoy faster and higher-quality prints.

Notable Features

• Five Print Types (Screen Printing, Embroidery, Sublimation, Digital, and Direct-to-Garment)
• Thousands of Products Available
• Single Invoice for Added Convenience
• Competitive Rates

Our Verdict

The strongest feature of Scalable Press is the sheer efficiency of its operations. The software the company has developed allows it to maximise time and resources, even though it still serves as an intermediary. However, the company faces issues similar to Gelato or Printify, especially since Scalable Press has little control over its third-party partners. Customer service may be challenging to get a hold of, and shipment issues or delays can take longer to address.

Having a reliable print-on-demand partner might just be the key to helping your brand blossom and reach customers all over the world. When choosing a company, ensure it provides high-quality, vibrant prints, can ship quickly to anywhere in the world, and offers competitive commission rates. Use the exhaustive top-five list we shared above to get started with your POD side hustle.

Selecting the right print on demand supplier is a crucial step, but it's just the beginning of your journey in the world of online fashion retail. If you're keen to delve deeper and truly harness the potential of this business model, don't miss our next article: 'HOW TO START A PRINT-ON-DEMAND SIDE HUSTLE'. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire process, from conceptualising your brand to effectively managing your online store. Ensure your print-on-demand venture is set up for success by reading our detailed guide.

HOW TO START A PRINT-ON-DEMAND SIDE HUSTLE

🎧 Listen Now: Sidehustles.co.uk One-Minute Podcast

5 Best Print on Demand Suppliers in the UK.

Welcome to the Sidehustles.co.uk One Minute Podcast. In the next 60 seconds, we're sharing a real-world insight from our network of seasoned side hustlers. This quick tip is designed to offer you practical advice that you can apply immediately in your side hustle journey.

Today, we're looking at the 5 Best Print on Demand Suppliers in the UK. In today's rapidly evolving online market, many aspiring fashion entrepreneurs often overlook one key element: the choice of a print on demand supplier. From my experience working with small business owners, a crucial tip is to focus not just on pricing, but also on the quality and range of products offered by the supplier. For instance, a supplier like Teemill, with its emphasis on eco-friendly apparel, can significantly align with your brand’s ethos and attract a specific customer base. Similarly, providers like Printful offer global reach and a vast product range, crucial for those aiming to expand internationally. Remember, the right supplier does more than just print your designs; they are a partner in your business’s growth and customer satisfaction. So, take the time to choose a supplier that aligns with your business objectives and brand values. This decision can be the difference between just selling products and building a brand that resonates with your audience.



That's your one-minute real-world insight. Stay tuned for more!

https://www.printful.com/

https://www.printful.com/uk/print-on-demand

https://printify.com/

https://ph.linkedin.com/company/printify/?trk=organization-update_share-update_actor-image

https://teemill.com/

https://teemill.com/ecommerce-website-builder/

https://teemill.com/about-teemill/

https://teemill.com/circular-fashion-supplier/

https://www.gelato.com/

https://www.gelato.com/about-gelato

https://scalablepress.com/

https://www.michaelessek.com/print-on-demand-companies/

https://www.sidehustles.co.uk/how-to-start-a-print-on-demand-side-hustle